Top 10 Music Headlines

Top 10 Music Headlines, presented by RTHK Radio 4, is now in its 39th year. Each year, we invite listeners together with professional critics, to tell us their choice of the top headlines. The news items are nominated by professionals in the music scene, and based on their influence on cultural and academic development in Hong Kong. Newsworthiness is a secondary consideration. Please select 10 news headlines from 20 nominations. Selection is made on the basis of cultural value and impact on academic development.

Voting period: 1 January 2025 (HKT0000) to 10 January 2025 (HKT2359)

Results were announced in the "2024 Top 10 Music Headlines" programme.

01
81.2%
Photo
Dr. Yip Wai-hong, the ‘Father of Children’s Choir of Hong Kong’ passes away.
Introduction by: Jimmy Shiu, researcher on Dr. Yip Wai-hong’s Oral History Project
Listen
02
68.6%
PhotoPhoto credit: Peter Riguad
Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski will become the HK Phil’s next Music Director, beginning in the 2026/27 season, succeeding Jaap van Zweden.
Introduction by: Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Listen
03
68.2%
PhotoPhoto credit: HK Phil
To celebrate its golden jubilee, the HK Phil has published a 50th anniversary publication. It records 50 collective memories of the orchestra, spanning from its amateur days to its professional era that began in 1974.
Introduction by: Jimmy Shiu, author of the book ‘HK Phil 50’
Listen
04
63.4%
PhotoPhoto credit: bbc.co.uk
In her First Night of the Proms debut, Elim Chan becomes the first Hong Kong conductor to take on this important role.
Introduction by: Elim Chan
Listen
05
60.7%
PhotoPhoto credit: HKU
After the passing of Doming Lam, the ‘Father of New Music in Hong Kong’, his family donates his extensive archive to HKU. It includes letters and manuscripts for scholarly research. Some of these treasures have already been exhibited in the Library.
Introduction by: Garfield Lam, University Archivist and Head of University Archives and Special Collections of the University Libraries of University of Hong Kong
Listen
06
58.2%
Photo
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau promulgates the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, setting out a clear vision, principles and strategic directions for the future development of the arts.
Introduction provided by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
Listen
07
56.5%
Photo
Hong Kong violinist Angela Chan wins the ‘Joseph Joachim First Prize’ and ‘Best Interpretation of Commissioned Work’ at the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition 2024, becoming the first winner from Hong Kong in the competition's history.
Introduction by: Angela Chan
Listen
08
54%
Photo
The Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (CASH) presents its ‘CASH Hall of Fame Awards 2024’, to two recipients – serious music composer Prof. David Gwilt and lyricist Poon Wai-yuen in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the music industry.
Introduction by: May Lee, Head of Corporate Communications of CASH
Listen
09
53.9%
PhotoPhoto credit: HKCO
Invented by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the Ding-style Eco-Gaohu which enhances the instrument’s volume while maintaining a stable tone and sound quality, is granted the utility model patent from the China National Intellectual Property Administration.
Introduction by: Tracy Huang, Head of Marketing and Development of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Listen
10
53%
PhotoPhoto credit：HKCO
Music educator, composer and Artistic Advisor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Kwok Hang-kei passes away.
Introduction by: Tracy Huang, Head of Marketing and Development of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Listen
11
51.5%
PhotoPhoto credit: Desmond Chan_HK Phil
The HK Phil celebrates its 50th anniversary, performing in 22 cities across 10 countries, including a three-week international tour to Singapore and Europe, which features Hong Kong composer Daniel Lo’s new work ‘Asterismal Dance’.
Introduction by: Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Listen
12
51.3%
PhotoPhoto credit: HKCO
The late cultural critic Chow Fan-fu's final unfinished work, ‘String Rising’, offers an in-depth account of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's development of Eco-Huqins from a firsthand perspective. The book is later compiled by Oliver Chou.
Introduction by: Oliver Chou, author of the book ‘String Rising’
Listen
13
47.6%
PhotoPhoto credit: Savio Lau
The August issue of ‘HiFi Review’, with Savio Lau as the Editor-in-Chief in Music, was its final printed edition, marking the end of its 38-year history as a monthly music magazine.
Introduction by: Savio Lau
Listen
14
45.6%
PhotoPhoto credit: HKADC
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council holds the inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo, featuring over 100 arts events over five consecutive days, with participation from more than 1600 arts leaders and professionals from over 60 regions.
Introduction by: Leung Kin-fung, Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council Music Group
Listen
15
45.4%
PhotoPhoto credit: Oliver Chou
Former General Manager of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, John Duffus (1979-1986), publishes a memoir in Hong Kong that details his musical experiences before and after his time with the Orchestra.
Introduction by: John Duffus
Listen
16
41.5%
PhotoPhoto credit: HKADC
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council launches the ‘Music and Dance Distinguished Performance Commendation Scheme (Pilot Scheme)’ to encourage local music talents to actively participate in internationally recognized high-level music competitions and showcase their artistry on international stages.
Introduction by: Leung Kin-fung, Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council Music Group
Listen
17
41.3%
PhotoPhoto credit: HKCO
The Fourth International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music, organized by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and delayed since 2020 due to the pandemic, is held in July. Huang Wei-Chieh, a Taiwanese student from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music is declared the winner.
Introduction by: Tracy Huang, Head of Marketing and Development of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Listen
18
40.4%
Photo
The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing releases ‘Rhythm of the Earth – Chan Wing Wah & HKCO’, marking it as the first Hong Kong album among the 136 recordings NCPA has published since 2016.
Introduction by: Chan Wing-wah
Listen
19
38.6%
PhotoIntroduction by: RTHK4
Mrs. Shirley Gwilt, a veteran host of RTHK Radio 4's long-running program ‘Piano Exams’ passes away.
Introduction by: Calvin Lai, former producer of ‘Piano Exams’
Listen
20
32.3%
PhotoPhoto credit: HKAPA
Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner Wynton Marsalis makes his first visit to The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He inspires students and music lovers with a sharing session, alongside two concerts with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Introduction by: Iñaki Sandoval, Dean of School of Music of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Listen